Inverse Multiplexing over ATM

With excess bandwidth available in the core of many networks, most carriers are looking for cost effective ways of "peeling off" portions of that available speed and terminating it at paying customers. There are several options available to provide this last mile high-speed connection to a paying subscriber, but often they are cost-prohibitive or unavailable in certain locations. If we compare the high-speed core links to multiple lane freeways, what the motorist needs is economical on and off-ramps to get to their destination. This technical white paper discusses the various merits of three possible solutions: Inverse Multiplexing over ATM (IMA for short), IP over Multilink Point-to-Point Protocol (MLPPP), and IP over Multilink Frame Relay (MFR).